Notts Aim To Bring Back The Smiles

Caretaker manager Steve Hodge hopes that the Magpies can put smiles back on the faces of supporters with a win against Oldham Athletic.

Notts have slumped to the bottom of the Sky Bet League 1 table following three consecutive losses and are currently five points adrift of 20th-placed Sheffield United.

Following the departure of former boss Chris Kiwomya and backroom duo Mick Jones and Andy Watson, Hodge has been placed in temporary charge and will be assisted by goalkeeping coach Kevin Pilkington and head of Academy coaching Andy McMillan.

Their immediate aim is to prepare the squad for Tuesday night’s encounter with the Latics – a game in hand that can see Notts close the gap on the teams outside of the relegation places to only two points.

Hodge told the press: “We all hoped that we would turn things around and it seemed that way a few weeks ago when we beat Tranmere and Crewe.

“Obviously it’s turned the other way it’s turned the other way recently and we’re all sad about Chris, Mick and Andy leaving the football club.

“They’re all good footballing people and good men as well, and it’s always a sad time when that happens to people you know really well.

“We’re sorry to see them go but in football we know what it’s like, it moves on quickly and it’s the next game on.”

He continued: “A win would put smiles on people’s faces, it’s an old adage but you feel 10 times better and 10 times taller when you win a football match.

“It’s not easy – ask David Moyes at the moment – it’s not easy to win football matches, even with the players he’s got.

“Here in League 1, we’ve got some good players who have had a bad start to the season and they have to gather themselves individually and collectively to get better.

“I think they will get better – in fact, I know they’ll get better.

“Mid-table is two wins away and even though two wins is hard, once you get that win and there is a tiny bit of belief instilled in all the players around the pitch, it can snowball really quickly.”

To watch the full interview, sign in to Magpie Player.

For further coverage, check out the Nottingham Post, Nottinghamshire Topper and BBC Radio Nottingham’s pre-match show.